Jets Mock Draft: Who Are the Experts Projecting to New York?

With the Super Bowl now a memory and the winter trudging along, the NFL is in perhaps its quietest period of the year. About the only thing to do now is wait to hear if your team cuts anybody and follow along with the latest mock drafts on the internet.

With the New York Jets holding the No. 9 pick during this transitional offseason, the NFL draft takes on an even more important role for Jets fans this year.

Despite the fact that most mock drafts are now getting closer to agreement as to which prospects belong in what spots, nobody seems to have a real grasp of which direction the Jets will go.

Would they pass on Jarvis Jones because of medical concerns if he fell to them? How about making Chance Warmack the first guard taken in the top 10 in over a decade? What would happen if possible No. 1 overall Geno Smith fell to the Jets at No. 9?

This slideshow checks in with 12 NFL writers from around the internet to see who they have the Jets taking No. 9 overall and the logic behind that pick.

The 12 writers have projected seven different players to the Jets, so there are plenty of opinions to digest and debate.

The Jets haven't shied away from taking risky players with big upsides in the past. That's just what they'd be doing if they selected Jones.

Taking a small-school player like Muhammad Wilkerson was a bold move, as was taking a physical freak like Quinton Coples with the belief they could motivate him. Those look like risks that will pay off greatly for the Jets.

However, taking a risk on a workout warrior like Vernon Gholston is still a dark cloud that hangs over the organization.

The risk with Jones is a different one though, as his spinal stenosis is a very serious condition that could mean a very short career in the NFL.

But if Jones is able to stay healthy, he could give the Jets a player built in the mold of Von Miller.

Jets fans seem to be divided in their desire for Jones, and that's understandable.

However, McShay believes the Jets are willing to take a chance on a Jones, who could turn out to be the best player in this draft.

Riddle offers a logical look at Smith coming off the board to the Jets at No. 9 as opposed to No. 1 overall to the Chiefs:

This pick becomes a lot safer at ninth overall as opposed to first. The Jets are badly in need of a fresh face at quarterback and Geno Smith is a good bet to be the most productive of the rookie signal-callers.

Smith is one of the more accurate passers in this class and has displayed impressive composure under pressure. His cool demeanor and pocket presence make him a hot target for several teams come April.

It's hard to argue with Riddle's point that the Jets need a fresh face at quarterback and if Smith is available, he'll be hard to pass up.

One thing that could prevent the Jets from drafting Smith if he is available is that they might get too good of a trade offer to pass up from another quarterback-starved franchise.

The Jets need explosive players on offense. Patterson is a perfect fit to provide some excitement on the outside. He also provides additional value on special teams, contributing as both a kick and punt returner.

While that assessment of Patterson's ability is accurate, Jeremiah failed to mention that he is one of the few writers who has Patterson slotted as a top-10 pick.

What also makes this pick even more unlikely is that he has the Jets passing up on Bjoern Werner, Damontre Moore and Barkevious Mingo to select Patterson.

Patterson may turn out to be the best receiver in the draft, but this is not the year to be spending a top-10 pick on a receiver.

Rob Rang, CBSSports.com: Star Lotulelei (DT Utah)

While Cordarrelle Paterson would be a reach at No. 9, if the Jets landed Star Lotulelei here it would be an absolute steal.

Lotulelei is on a short list of players who are under consideration as the best player in the draft and CBSSports.com's Rob Rang has him falling to the Jets.

For that to happen, a few unexpected developments need to happen. Rang put those events in place when he projected Barkevious Mingo, Matt Barkley and Tyler Wilson all jumping into the top eight.

If that's the case, the Jets will have their choice of a few consensus top-eight prospects.

Rang breaks down what would happen if the Jets found themselves in that position.

With three quarterbacks projected ahead of them and the top edge rushers off the board, the Jets could be forced into the best player available strategy, which would make Lotulelei an obvious contender. The Utah standout could combine with recent first round picks Muhammad Wilkerson and Quinton Coples to give the Jets the fearsome three-man front head coach Rex Ryan prefers.

While defensive tackle isn't the biggest need for the Jets in this draft, having a player like Lotulelei in front of them would be too good to pass up.

A dominant, young defensive line consisting of Coples, Wilkerson and Lotulelei would give the Jets something to build around for years to come.

The Jets need a lot of help in several areas, mostly on offense, including the quarterback position. But the Jets have struggled to put pressure on the opponents' backfield and Mingo is an ideal fit to stand up as an edge rusher in a 3-4 scheme.

Mingo is another possibility that has the Jets fanbase divided.

People in favor of Mingo love his athleticism and quickness, something that Jets severely lacked from their linebackers in 2012.

However, Mingo's performance in 2012 was nothing like his dominant 2011 season and that dropoff has people concerned.

The only questionable thing about this is that Brugler has the Jets passing up on Jarvis Jones to select Mingo.

Charlie Campbell, WalterFootball.com: Barkevious Mingo (OLB LSU)

USA TODAY Sports

WalterFootball.com offers some of the most extensive free draft insight on the internet (outside of Bleacher Report, of course) and their respected draft analyst Charlie Campbell has the Jets drafting Barkevious Mingo.

...[T]here is some serious bust potential with him, but NFL teams and other pundits hold him in high regard. Thus, he could go in the top half of the first round.

Campbell provided extra insight into Mingo's 2010 and 2011 seasons and showed what spurred him to be recognized as one of the best defensive players in the country coming into 2012.

Mingo (6-5, 240 [sic]) had a breakout 2011 season. He showed blinding speed and was a disruptive force. Mingo totaled 46 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss, eight sacks and one forced fumble. He recorded 35 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and six pass breakups in 2010.

Interestingly, Campbell also has the Jets passing on Jarvis Jones, whom he projected all the way down to No. 17 to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News: Jarvis Jones (OLB Georgia)

As with most mock drafts that have Jarvis Jones available for the Jets, Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News has a few surprises in the top eight to push the dominant linebacker to No. 9.

Iyer has Barkevious Mingo, Matt Barkley and Mike Glennon going to the Browns, Cardinals and Bills respectively in the three picks before the Jets.

A scenario like that would have to unfold for the Jets to have a chance at Jones, especially if Eric Fisher and Dee Milliner fall out of the top eight, as Iyer has projected.

Iyer offers this brief but very accurate description of Jones and how much Ryan would love him:

Rex Ryan is desperate to upgrade his pass rush with a versatile, explosive player. His offense has a ton of issues, but Jones can be a special defensive playmaker. Ryan could use him well in a variety of ways.

What Iyer doesn't mention is Jones' medical condition. It's easy for everyone to sit around and play doctor, but the truth is that nobody knows just what will happen with Jones and his health.

Against the run, he has a long way to go. He will require a year or two to add bulk to his frame and he will continue to fill out in his first few years in the league.

Mingo will likely begin his career as a pass-rush specialist as he transitions into the role of a 3-4 OLB. In particular, his tackling technique in open spaces will need refinement as well.

As with most mocks that have projected Mingo to the Jets, Standig doesn't project any surprises in the top eight, outside of the Bills selecting quarterback Tyler Wilson, which wouldn't be a huge surprise at all.

RC Cos, Bleacher Report: Jarvis Jones (OLB Georgia)

I couldn't let a draft article go by without offering my own projection, even if I don't fit the bill as a "mock draft expert."

I see the Jets with one of four options here if they don't trade out of the No. 9 spot: Jarvis Jones, Barkevious Mingo, Dion Jordan or Damontre Moore.

Choosing Chance Warmack, Geno Smith, Eric Fisher or Star Lotulelei wouldn't be a bad thing, but the need for a pass-rushing linebacker trumps the other holes the Jets have. With a number of top options available, this is the year to address this need.

Right now, I have the Jets selecting Jarvis Jones with the No. 9 pick.

Jones' medical condition is well-known, and that should cause the teams selecting in the top five to pass on him.

If he gets past the Browns at No. 6, Jones should fall to the Jets at No. 9 as the Cardinals need help on the offensive line and could go for Eric Fisher. If they don't go after a lineman, the Cardinals could select the quarterback they like best.

The Bills pick No. 8 and also need a quarterback to build around. There is a chance the Bills could just go with the best player available, which could be Jones if they ignore his health concerns.

Jones to the Jets would be an exciting move, but one that would come with its detractors.

While Jones could suffer a devastating injury at any point, the real worry is how Jones will deal with the wear-and-tear of everyday life in the NFL over the years.

To put the argument simply, would you rather have a Von Miller-type of player for four or five years or take your chance on someone else who might be around longer, but not have as high a peak as Jones?

The reason I'd take my chance on Jones is that while at his peak, he could help the Jets recover from the past two seasons and help the Jets transition at linebacker. By the time he breaks down, the Jets could (hopefully) have better financial means to find a replacement for him.